What Is a Soutenu?

 

Hi!  Welcome back to my blog.

Today we’re going to talk about the “soutenu”.

Below is the definition of this ballet movement from Vance’s Ballet Dictionary:

“(a) Performed smoothly and slowly. (b) Also used to indicate a smooth détourné. For (a), can be: where from 5th position, the working leg is taken out to the front, 2nd position, or to the back, while the supporting leg is lowered to demi-plié. Then the supporting leg rises to demi or full pointe while the working leg is drawn into it, ending in a tight sus-sous position.”

The following video shows how the “soutenu” is used when performing turns.

Now you try it.  Don’t forget to “spot” so you won’t get dizzy when you turn.

After I practice my soutenu turns, I’m going to color this picture:

Ask your mom or dad to print it out for you and don”t forget to say “please” and “thank you”.

You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

Another link to information for mom and dad:  

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/costumes-costumes-costumes-keeping-costume-day-drama-free/#more-337

I hope you’ll come back next week when we’ll talk some more about ballet

See you then.

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

(Millicent’s blog is sponsored by the Exercise Equipment Super Store and the Healing Tai Chi Store)

What is Spotting? How Will It Help Me?

Hi!  Welcome back to my blog.

Today we’re going to talk about “spotting“.

 Spotting is a method that dancers use to keep from getting dizzy when they’re doing turns.

Below is the definition of spotting from Vance’s Fabulous Ballet Dictionary.

“A technique for for keeping oriented and avoiding dizziness during turns. Pick a spot (some conspicuous object); keep looking at it as you turn until you can’t any longer; then quickly turn your head so you are looking at it again.”

Below is a video of a ballerina demonstrating how “spotting” works.  I hope it will help you to understand how to prevent dizziness when you practice your pirouettes or chaîné turns.

After you practice spotting  with some ballet turns, you can color the picture.

Ask your mom or dad to print it out for you and don’t forget to say “please” and “thank you”.

I hope you’ll come back next week.

See you then!

You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

Another link with information for your mom and dad:

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/hydration-citation-are-you-drinking-enough-water/

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

(Millicent’s blog is sponsored by the Exercise Equipment Super Store and the Healing Tai Chi Store)

What Is a Temps Levé?

 

Hi!  Welcome back to my blog.

I’m happy to see you.

Today, we’re going to learn about a ballet step called a temps levé.

Below is the definition of this step from Vance’s Fantastic Ballet Dictionary:

“Temps levé is the very simplest jump from one foot onto the same foot with the other foot raised.”

Here is a picture of dancers performing a chassé temps levé:

Maybe this video will help you to understand this ballet step better.  Please click on the link to open the video.

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-temps-leve

After I finish practicing my  temps levé, I’m going to color the ballet picture.

Ask your mom or dad to print out the picture for you.

 I know you remembered to say “please” and “thank you”.

You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

A link just for mom and dad:

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/dance-and-gymnastics-the-importance-of-cross-training/

I hope you’ll come back next week.

See you then.

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

(Millicent’s blog is sponsored by the Exercise Equipment Super Store and the Healing Tai Chi Store)

What is a Rond de Jambe?

Hi!  Welcome back to my blog.

 

 Today, we’re going to learn how to do a rond de jambe.

 

Below is the definition of this step from Vance’s Fantastic Ballet Dictionary:

 

“A movement in which the working leg is made to describe a letter D about the supporting leg. May be done with the working foot on the floor or in the air. In a rond de jambe en dehors (“outward”) on the floor, the working leg moves from first (or fifth) position to pointe tendu forward, makes a half circle to pointe tendu in back, and then returns to first, if the rond de jambe is to be repeated, and otherwise to first or fifth. A wonderful exercise for turnout. In a rond de jambe en dedans (“inward”), the direction of movement is reversed. In a demi rond de jambe, the working leg goes only half-way around, stopping in second position. A grand rond de jambe, is executed with the supporting leg in plié. A rond de jambe en l’air (“in the air”) is done with the working leg raised off the floor, frequently at an angle of 90 degrees (parallel to the floor). “

 

Below is a drawing of the movements involved in a rond de jambe:

 Maybe this video will explain this step more clearly:

  

I found a picture for us to color.

 Ask your mom or dad to print it out for you.  Don’t forget to say “please” and “thank you”.

 

 

 

 You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

This week’s article for mom and dad: 

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/dance-shoe-reviews-ballet-shoes/

Please come back next week.  We’ll learn more ballet steps.

 

See you then.

 

 

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

 

(Millicent’s blog is sponsored by the Exercise Equipment Super Store and the Healing Tai Chi Store)

What is a Pirouette and How Do I Do It?

Hi!  Welcome back to my blog.

I’m happy to see you again.

Today, we’re going to learn about the ballet step called a “pirouette”.

Below is the definition of this word from Vance’s Fantastic Ballet Dictionary:

“A complete turn on one leg. The dancer usually goes round more than once. The raised leg is most commonly held in rétiré, but pirouettes with the leg in other positions are not uncommon. If the direction of the turn rotates the raised leg away from the front of the body, the pirouette is en dehors; if it rotates the leg toward the front, it is en dedans. The dancer spots (see “spotting”) in order to avoid becoming disoriented. Pirouettes are usually fast, but supported pirouettes, in which a partner steadies the soloist, may be done very slowly. “

Below is a picture of a man doing a pirouette.

I found a video of  a ballet teacher explaining how to do a pirouette correctly.

Now, you try it.

I’m going to practice my pirouettes.  After that, I’m going to color the ballet picture I found.  You can, too.

Ask your mom or dad to print it out for you.  don’t forget to say “please” and “thank  you”.

 

I hope you’ll come back next week when we will learn some more ballet steps.

See you then.

You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

Article for mom and dad:  

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/great-reads-for-the-dancing-soul/#more-298

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

(Millicent’s blog is sponsored by the Exercise Equipment Super Store and the Healing Tai Chi Store)

Let’s Practice the Changement

 

Hi!  Welcome back to my blog.

 

Today we’re going to learn about the ballet step, changement.

The word “changement” meand a “change of the feet”.

 

Vance’s Fantastic Ballet Dictionary defines the changement this way,

 

“A jump, straight up, starting from fifth position with one foot in front and landing in fifth position with the other foot in front.”

 

Below is a picture of a dancer doing a changement:

 

 

Maybe this video will make the step more understandable.  Click on the link to see the video:

 

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-changement

 

Now you try it.  Don’t step on  your toes!

 

I’m going to go practice the changement.  When I’m finished, I’m going to color the picture below.

Ask your mom or dad to print it out for you.

 

 I know you remembered to say “please” and “thank you”.

 

Two links with information for mom and dad: 

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/food-for-dance-what-to-pack-for-studio-snacks/

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/recipe-for-success-trail-mix-aka-ballerina-blend/#more-290 

 

 

You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

 

I hope you’ll come back next week when we will learn a new ballet step. 

See you then.

 

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s Practice a Petit Jeté

Hi!  Welcome back to my blog.

Today we’re going to learn how to do a petit jeté.

Below is the definition of this ballet step from Vance’s Ballet Dictionary:

 ”A jump: brush the working foot out, hop off the supporting leg, and land on the working foot with the other foot sur le cou-de-pied behind. Can be done to the front, the side, or the back.”

This picture shows how the feet should be just before you begin the petit jeté.

Below is a video of a boy performing a petit jeté:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BFl7nHfVQI&feature=bf_prev&list=HL1327264326&lf=mh_lolz

He’s very good, isn’t he?

I’m going to go practice the petit jete now.  When I’m finished, I’m going to color the picture.

Ask your mom or dad to print it out for you and don’t forget to say “please” and “thank you”.

Please come back to see me next week when we’ll learn about more ballet steps.

See you then.

You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

These links are for your mom or dad:

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/food-for-dance-what-to-pack-for-studio-snacks/

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/recipe-for-success-trail-mix-aka-ballerina-blend/#more-290

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

(Millicent’s blog is sponsored by the Exercise Equipment Super Store and the Healing Tai Chi Store)

Let’s Practice the Petit Battement

Hi!  Welcome to my blog.

 

I’m happy to see you.

 

Today we’re going to talk about the ballet step called “petit  battement”.

 

Below is the definition of this step from Vance’s Ballet Dictionary:

“An exercise for speed and agility in the lower leg. In the starting position, the working leg is sur le cou-de-pied. It opens in the direction of 2nd position but only half way, as the leg does not fully extend at the knee. The working leg then closes to sur le cou-de-pied opposite of where it started (in back if it started in front and vice versa). The knee and thigh stay in the same place and do not move during the process. “

 

Here is a drawing of how the step is done.

 

 

Maybe this video will help you better understand how the step is done when practiced at the barre:

 

After I practice my petit battement for a while, I’m going to color this picture.

 

 

 

 Ask your mom or dad to print it out for you.  I know you remembered to say “please” and “thank you”.

 

  

You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

 

I hope you’ll come back to my blog next week when we’ll talk about more ballet steps.  See you then.

 

 

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

 

 

(Millicent’s blog is sponsored by the Exercise Equipment Super Store and the Healing Tai Chi Store) 

 

 

What is a Pas de Chat?

Hi!  Welcome back to my blog.

I’m happy to see you again.

Today we’re going to learn about the ballet step called “pas de chat”.

The term means “step of the cat”.   Cats…yuk!

Anyway, below is the definition of this step from Vance’s Ballet Dictionary:

“A jump. Leap off the left leg, starting from a plié and raising the right leg into retiré. In midair, raise the left leg into retiré, too, so your legs form a diamond shape in the air. Land on the right leg with the left leg still in retiré; then bring it down, landing in another plié. In the famous dance in Swan Lake in which the four cygnets dance with interlaced arms, they do sixteen pas de chat. “

Above is a drawing of the step by step movements of the pas de chat.

Below is a video showing each part of the pas de chat.  I think you’ll understand the step better after you watch it.

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-a-pas-de-chat

I’m going to try doing a pas de chat.

After I practice my new step, I’m going to ask my mom (or dad) to print out the picture below so I can color it.

Please click on the link below to open the picture:

http://national.ballet.ca/pdf/education/fourseasonsColouringSheet.pdf

I know you remembered to say “please” and “thank you”.

I hope you’ll come back next week when we’ll talk about more ballet steps.

See you then.

An article for your mom or dad:  

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/dance-shoe-reviews-top-5-best-tap-shoes/

You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

What is a Fondu?

Hi!  Welcome back to my blog.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday.

Today we’re going to learn about the ballet term “fondu”.

Below is the definition of fondu from Vance’s Ballet Dictionary:

“Any movement that lowers the body by bending one leg. In a plié, both legs support the body; in a fondu, only one leg supports the body.”

Maybe it would help to see a picture of a dancer performing a fondu.  Look at the students below.

Does that help you to understand fondu better?

I found a video that explains this movement very well.  Click on the link to open the video.

video_2374569_do-fondu-ballet-dancing.html

Now, you try it.  It isn’t so hard, is it?

Below is a picture for us to color after we finish practicing the fondu.  Ask your mom or dad to print it out for you and don’t forget to say “please” and “thank you”.

I hope you’ll come back next week when we’ll learn more ballet steps.

See you then.

You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

(Millicent’s blog is sponsored by the Exercise Equipment Super Store and the Healing Tai Chi Store)